Mechanical Engineer

About the Company

We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our mission is to capture civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.

We are a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, and university endowments. We operate as an idea meritocracy — where the best ideas win — and we’re building the most capable engineering and operations team on the planet.

About the Role

Our core technology (called the Node) will operate in the worst conditions the world’s oceans have to offer for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention.  We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer with a significant background in conceptual layout, system configuration, and structural design to help drive the Nodes to be simple, robust, and manufacturable. You will work alongside senior structural engineers, analysts, and mechanical designers to evaluate early-stage system architectures, generate layout models in NX, perform structural sizing and analysis, and translate scale model test results into resilient real-world systems.

This is a rare opportunity for an early to mid-career engineer to help us shape foundational structures of groundbreaking ocean technology.

Our team of 70 includes team members who have worked at organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Tesla, Apple, Virgin Orbit, Astra, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, New Relic, Bridgewater, Raytheon, Disney Imagineering, and the US Army and Air Force, as well as research universities, startups, and small companies across a range of industries. We strive to be the best engineering team on the planet and we compensate our team members accordingly. 

Responsibilities

• Generate and manage skeleton models and mechanical layout configurations in Siemens NX.
• Perform preliminary sizing, hand calculations, and detailed structural analyses using FEA tools (Femap, NX Simcenter, Nastran).
• Evaluate and iterate on multiple design concepts to arrive at simple and robust solutions.
• Act as the primary structural analyst for early-stage subsystem evaluations including:
• Device primary structure
• Electronics enclosures
• Drivetrains
• Deployment systems
• Testing apparatuses
• Ground-support equipment
  
  
• Lead and participate in collaborative design reviews and cross-functional brainstorming sessions.
• Support interpretation of scale model test results and incorporate findings into system designs.
• Work closely with vendors and fabricators to ensure manufacturability and performance alignment.
• Use Teamcenter to manage design data and configuration changes.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience in structural analysis through both hand calculations and FEA (linear, non-linear, and buckling).
• Familiarity with Nastran, Femap, or similar tools.
• Proficiency in Siemens NX or comparable 3D CAD software.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate parts and assemblies through design, testing, and operational feedback.
• Strong communication skills — written, verbal, and visual (e.g., sketching, diagramming).
• Self-directed with strong ownership mindset and the ability to operate effectively in a collaborative team.
• Experience with full design-build-test cycles.

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate degree in mechanical, structural, aerospace, or marine engineering.
• Experience in student competitions such as Formula SAE, RoboSub, MATE ROV, or Design Build Fly.
• Knowledge of systems engineering and multidisciplinary integration.
• Background in welded steel structures in dynamic or marine environments.
• Exposure to design verification via physical testing.
• Experience with NX/Teamcenter in a PDM-controlled environment.
• Hands-on hardware experience in fabrication, assembly, and testing.
  
  

We encourage candidates to apply even if they don’t meet all the desired qualifications. We value curiosity, creativity, and the drive to grow and contribute meaningfully.

Compensation and Benefits

If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:

• Cash compensation of $150,000 - $225,000

• Equity in the company. We’re all owners and, if we’re successful, this equity will be the most valuable component of your compensation.
• A benefits package that includes:
• Flexible paid time off
• Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
• Dental insurance (the company pays 33% for full time employees and 100% for their partners and dependents)
• Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
• Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long term financial support if you become disabled)
• Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
• Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

Location

This is an on-site position. Our offices, lab, prototyping shop, and manufacturing facilities are located in and around Portland, Oregon.